New Delhi: An encounter broke out between security forces and terrorists in South Kashmir's Kulgam district on Wednesday and two local terrorists of the proscribed terror outfit LeT were reportedly been killed in the gunfight. It is being told that an encounter is taking place in the Mir Bazar area of district Kulgam which is just 2 kilometers away from the National Highway where from Amarnath Yatra Cavalcade passed just a few hours ago earlier in the day.
"Both the killed #terrorists have been identified as #categorised local terrorists of proscribed #terror outfit LeT. Again an important #encounter as the operation site was very close to NHW (#Yatra route): IGP Kashmir @JmuKmrPolice," Kashmir Zone Police tweeted.
In the ensuing encounter, two terrorists were killed and their bodies were retrieved from the site. They have been identified as Yasir Wani, resident of Wangund, Kulgam and Raees Manzoor resident of Chotipora, Shopian.
According to the information, after receiving information about the presence of terrorists in Kulgam's Mir Bazar area, a joint team of security forces and police launched a search operation. Seeing themselves surrounded, the terrorists started firing, which started the encounter.
Earlier, today the first batch of 4,890 pilgrims has left for Amarnath Yatra from Jammu amid tight security arrangements from the Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu city for their onward journey to the Pahalgam and Baltal base camps in Kashmir.
"Adequate security measure has been put in place for the base camps and lodging places in Jammu city. Security is a major challenge," Jammu Senior Superintendent of Police Chandan Kohli said.
The 43-day pilgrimage to the cave shrine will begin from twin base camps in Kashmir on Thursday and will conclude on August 11 on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan.